Stand Up and Be Counted: Measuring and Mapping the Rheumatology Workforce in Canada.

Objective: To characterize the practicing rheumatologist workforce, the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA) launched the Stand Up and Be Counted workforce survey in 2015.

Methods: The survey was distributed electronically to 695 individuals, of whom 519 were expected to be practicing rheumatologists. Demographic and practice information were elicited.

Measuring the Rheumatology Workforce in Canada: A Literature Review.

Objective: The number of rheumatologists per capita has been proposed as a performance measure for arthritis care. This study reviews what is known about the rheumatologist workforce in Canada.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted in EMBASE and MEDLINE using the search themes "rheumatology" AND "workforce" AND "Canada" from 2000 until December 2014.

Celecoxib-induced change in atrial electrophysiologic substrate in arthritis patients.

Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, the newest class of nonsteroidal antiinflammatories, pose an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, in particular atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib alters atrial electrophysiology, and thus promotes the development of AF.

Methods: Three prospective patient cohorts were created: Healthy patients (n = 35), inflammatory arthritis patients with no celecoxib use (n = 22), and inflammatory arthritis patients treated with celecoxib (n = 20).

Draping education to promote patient dignity: canadian physiotherapy student and instructor perceptions.

Purpose: To determine the perceptions of educators and students in Canadian entry-level professional physiotherapy programmes with respect to the current draping curriculum and the methods of delivery of that content and to determine if there is a need for additional draping education time and resources in these programmes.

Methods: Canadian university physiotherapy students (n=127) and educators (n=183) completed questionnaires designed by the authors. Data were collected via Survey Monkey, exported as Excel files, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square analysis.

Evaluation of a web-based teaching module on examination of the hand.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an online module in the development of medical students' clinical hand examination skills.

Methods: We developed a Web-based module to teach examination of the hand to first-year medical students (n = 99) to address the core skills expected in undergraduate medical training in Canada. The module was compared to the standard recommended text and tutor-led teaching using a validated objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) and a written knowledge test.

Role of opticare eye drop delivery system in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of keratoconjunctivitis sicca in 340 patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing outpatient followup, and to assess their ability to use artificial tears, and the role of an aid to dispensing drops, the Opticare.

Methods: Initial questionnaire given to 340 patients based on preliminary criteria for classification of Sjögren's syndrome. Thirty symptomatic patients were invited to undergo objective and subjective assessment of the ability to instill artificial tears with and without the Opticare.

Radiological outcome in ankylosing spondylitis: use of the Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (SASSS).

We investigated the role of the Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spine Score (SASSS) in a longitudinal cohort study of 53 patients with AS, assessed 9 yr apart, and its relation to clinical, functional and laboratory measures of disease activity and outcome. We also examined the long-term predictive value of quantitative sacroiliac scintigraphy (QSS). SASSS correlated closely with clinical measures, including occiput-wall distance (OWD) (P < 0.

Smoking and outcome in ankylosing spondylitis.

In view of the recognised influence of smoking on the disease course of psoriasis and ulcerative colitis, and the association of these diseases with seronegative spondyloarthritis, we investigated a possible effect on outcome in ankylosing spondylitis. Thirtyone non-smokers, 12 exsmokers, and 10 smokers, with definite ankylosing spondylitis of a median duration of 20 years, were studied using clinical values (modified Schober, finger floor distance, total spinal movement), radiological (lumbar spine x-ray score), functional index, and laboratory assessment (ESR, CRP, Igs). There were statistically significant differences in the outcome between smokers and non-smokers for finger floor distance (p < 0.

Painful knees associated with a septic focus.

The association between gastrointestinal disorders and arthritis is well recognized. We describe a 54-yr-old man who presented with a seronegative oligoarthritis in whom the clinical picture was consistent with a hypertrophic osteoarthropathy. An occult septic focus was identified when a barium enema demonstrated a diverticular abscess, treatment of which led to a complete resolution of symptoms.

Role of prophylactic antibiotics in the prevention of late infection of prosthetic joints. Results of a questionnaire and review of the literature.

A postal survey has revealed wide variation in attitudes towards the need for prophylactic antibiotics in patients with implants who develop intercurrent infections, or who undergo surgical procedures. The available evidence is insufficient to reach any firm conclusions, however any patient who has an implant should receive swift treatment for intercurrent infections.

Prevention and management of steroid-induced osteoporosis.

Glucocorticoids were first used therapeutically in the late 1940s. While they have revolutionised the treatment of many diseases, they also have many side effects, including osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis has been recognised as an important complication since the first use of steroids, we are still a long way from understanding the pathophysiology of steroid-induced osteoporosis.

Career grade posts: do they work? Experience of a rheumatology rotation.

I describe the design and implementation of a new rotation for career grade registrars in rheumatology, and discuss what this implies for both trainers and trainees involved in such rotations. Some problems have occurred in relation to the geography of the rotation and in the choice of research projects undertaken during the rotation. I suggest possible solutions for these problems.